Fitzmaurice calls for urgent action over Bord Bia links to Brazilian beef imports

Fitzmaurice calls for urgent action over Bord Bia links to Brazilian beef imports

Independent Ireland Roscommon–Galway TD Michael Fitzmaurice has called for urgent ministerial intervention following reports that individuals may be involved at senior level within Bord Bia also have business interests connected to the importation of Brazilian beef.

Deputy Fitzmaurice said the revelations raise serious questions about governance, conflicts of interest and whose interests Bord Bia is ultimately serving at a time when Irish farmers are under sustained pressure.

“Information suggests that people involved at board level in Bord Bia are also involved, through other enterprises, in importing Brazilian beef. That raises very serious concerns,” he said.

Bord Bia is tasked with promoting Irish food, particularly beef, on international markets. Deputy Fitzmaurice said it is deeply problematic if individuals charged with defending and growing Ireland’s agri-food exports are simultaneously involved in competing imports.

“It does not sit well that we are trying to export premium Irish beef, produced to the highest standards in the world, while some of those who are supposed to be fully focused on that job may also be importing beef from other countries,” he said.

Deputy Fitzmaurice said the Minister must immediately clarify the position of Bord Bia board members and senior figures, and establish whether any are involved, directly or indirectly, in Brazilian beef imports or related enterprises.

“We need absolute transparency. We need to know where everyone on the Bord Bia board stands, and whether they are involved in the importation of Brazilian beef through other companies or interests. If that is happening, then a lot of people need to seriously consider their positions,” he said.

He warned that such conflicts undermine confidence among farmers and causes lack of confidence in Bord Bia at a critical time, particularly as concerns continue to grow around trade agreements such as Mercosur and the standards applied to beef imports from South America.

“Everyone involved in Bord Bia should be wearing the Irish jersey, not half-wearing another one underneath. Bord Bia's job is to serve Irish farming and the Irish food industry, full stop. We exported over 490,000 tonnes of beef in 2024 and it is questionable why we need to import this beef at all” Deputy Fitzmaurice said.

He concluded by calling on the relevant Minister to review Bord Bia appointments as a matter of urgency.

“It is vital that Irish interests are at the heart of Bord Bia. Farmers need to know that the body charged with promoting their produce is acting solely and exclusively in their interests, I am calling on all board members of Bord Bia to declare outside interests - it is taxpayers money that funds Bord Bia so the minister must act decisively and address the issues raised urgently - and in my opinion some people's positions are untenable”